Catherine Tyldesley posts candid throwbacks from her pregnancy to mark her son’s 6th birthday

Catherine Tyldesley has marked her son Alfie’s sixth birthday by sharing an ‘intense’ series of photos of herself in labour alongside her little boy’s first few moments in the world.

The Coronation Street star, 37, commenced her Instagram post on Wednesday with a photo of her bump at nine months. 

The mother-to-be could be seen staring down at her stomach, with her T-shirt pulled up. 

Another picture showed the tearful soap star – who was still in her hospital gown – holding her crying newborn to her chest just after giving birth. 

Alongside the moving images, Catherine penned a lengthy caption, thanking ‘the amazing NHS midwives that brought you safely into this world’ and saying ‘becoming a mother is the best thing that ever happened to me’.

Catherine and her personal trainer husband Tom Pitfield welcomed their firstborn Alfie in 2016, and in one of the photos, a shirtless Tom could be seen cradling his son in the hospital.

In her post, the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant also included a touching picture of her mother holding her grandson for the first time, writing: ‘This time 6 years ago things were about to get very intense!!!

‘I can’t believe my boy Alf will be SIX tomorrow!!! Where does time go?! From the moment I knew I was carrying you I loved you more than anything in the world. I’d happily go through that 38 hour labour twice over for you my love!!

‘I remember the first time you looked at me – blowing bubbles, eyes wide open – I’ve never known love like it. 

‘I’m aware how blessed I am every single day, blessed that my body could carry you, blessed by the amazing NHS midwives that brought you safely into this world, blessed by all the friends and family that held my hand when I couldn’t stop crying and felt lost.’

Catherine proudly concluded: ‘Becoming a mother is the best thing that ever happened to me and I am proud beyond words of the kind, funny, clever little man you’ve become. Don’t ever change Alfie James!!!’

As Alfie approached his sixth birthday, Catherine reflected on the prospect of having a second child during an Instagram Q&A in December, pointing out that a pregnancy may conflict with her hectic schedule.

She told fans: ‘Sounds awful but I’m so busy at the moment. I’d like another as some point. I’ve always said I wanted two. Maybe adoption. So many children needing good homes.’

In January 2020, Catherine had stated that she was keen to have another child with Tom when ‘the time feels right’.

When asked by Hello! magazine about having another child, she explained: ‘We would love to – at least one more. Absolutely, when the time feels right.’